This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which
closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions
or concerns about this article, please contact
indiasupport@huffpost.com.
TOPSHOT - An airliner of India's IndiGo carrier flies over the setting sun in New Delhi on February 10, 2016. AFP PHOTO / Prakash SINGH / AFP / PRAKASH SINGH (Photo credit should read PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images)
A raft of new aviation rules could make air travel cheaper and open up more airline options for international travel, while boosting domestic, regional air travel, the government has announced.
The government has scrapped the controversial '5/20' aviation rule that restricted domestic airlines to operate on international routes. According to the rules of the new National Civil Aviation Policy, any airline that has a fleet of over 20 aircraft or deploys 20 per cent of its capacity on domestic routes can now fly overseas.
The Union cabinet Wednesday cleared a number of new measures sought in the new policy, sending a the stocks of several airlines soaring. Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, who called the move a "game changer", announced the following measures among others:
• Airfares will be capped at ₹1,200 for 30 minutes, and ₹2,500 for hour-long flights.
• An increased focus on regional connectivity. A "small levy" will be charged on all domestic flights for a egional connectivity fund.
Airlines will be required to serve more flights to North East India and island territories. The minister said that airlines any cancellations of routes in the North East will have to notify the ministry.
• The '5/20' rule is going away: All airlines that have a fleet of over 20 aircraft can fly overseas immediately as long as they have an air operator license or deploy 20 per cent capacity for domestic operations. The 5/20 rule had prevented Indian airlines from flying overseas unless they have operated for at least five years and have a fleet of 20 aircraft. Details were not immediately available ahead of a planned government briefing.
• On bilateral traffic rules: The government is going to be “progressive” on this front, he said, adding that India will seek a reciprocal ‘open sky’ policy with SAARC countries and countries that are more than 5,000 kms away from India. For countries located within 5,000 kms from India, the methodology for additional entitlements for domestic carriers will be worked out. India has bilaterlal traffic or air service agreements with 109 countries.
• Domestic airlines will not require prior approval before entering code share agreements with other airlines.
• All domestic airlines can now do self-handling without beaching security. As costs of outsourcing reduce, the ticket prices should come down, according to him. In general, the ground handling policy “should be such that brings down the operational cost of airlines,” he said.
• There will be separate rules for helicopters. India will look at four heli-hubs and introduce helicopter emergency services.
Airlines have been divided on the rule change with incumbents like Etihad-backed Jet Airways, InterGlobe Aviation's Indigo Airlines and SpiceJet opposing it.
Tata Group's two recent ventures - Vistara, in partnership with Singapore Airlines, and AirAsia India, a venture with Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd - are in favour.
Shares in Jet Airways, InterGlobe and SpiceJet rose on news that the policy had been approved in a move that, analysts said, would boost the overall aviation market.
You can't rehash every annoyance or major problem with your partner every day or all you will do is sound like you're constantly complaining. Be selective about which story you want to share and which experiences you will keep to yourself. (credit:Thinkstock)
Start The Evening With Quiet Time(02 of07)
Open Image Modal
Everyone should have a chance to get in the door and unwind from their own stress at work before being hit with a laundry list of their partner's issues. So don't walk in the door complaining. Come in, change clothes, decompress and use that time to calm down and consider what things should be shared and which ones should not. (credit:Thinkstock)
Limit Stress Talk(03 of07)
Open Image Modal
Limit the amount of time you discuss what's stressing you. You have so little time to spend with your partner after work so don't spend it all complaining about problems. Sometimes we have rolling conversations about stressful things throughout the night. You bring it up as soon as you get home, then again during dinner, then after dinner, and then again in bed. Have the conversation once and avoid revisiting it unless absolutely necessary. (credit:Thinkstock)
Balance The Negative With Positive(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
Spend as much time talking about non-stressful things or being affectionate as you spend stressing out. You want to leave your partner with a positive feeling about you, instead of with a knot in their stomach. (credit:Thinkstock)
Listen As Much As You Talk(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
If you want your partner to listen to you when you're sharing your concerns, then be sure to listen to your partner when they're sharing theirs. Things will go better if you make eye contact and nod or comment to show agreement or react to what they're sharing. Listening while staring at the TV or reading your mobile device will make your partner feel ignored. (credit:Thinkstock)
Share With A Friend(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
Our significant others tend to be our best friends, and so we want to tell them everything that we go through both personally and professionally. Sometimes we don't realize when that is becoming overwhelming or just too much info in too little time. If you have a good friend, sometimes you can decide to share with that person and not bring your every concern home to your partner. (credit:Thinkstock)
Disconnect Electronically(07 of07)
Open Image Modal
So many of us are glued to our phones and computers but at some point we need to disconnect for the night and relax, especially when you need time for yourself and to spend time with your spouse and kids. You can't keep taking calls and reading emails through dinner, in the bathroom, in the bed and in the middle of a bedtime story. Choose a cutoff time to put your phone to bed and/or limit the amount of time you spend on the phone/computer so that you have time to take care of home.I know everyone needs to do what it takes to keep their jobs, but at the same time you won't be successful at work if you're falling apart from stress and your home life is crumbling around you. When you get home from work, try to manage your time and communications about work in a balanced way so that you can use your time at home to relax and recharge, not just rehash the day and keep the stress going. (credit:Thinkstock)
-- This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which
closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions
or concerns about this article, please contact
indiasupport@huffpost.com.